Seven Heads of State and Government on Tuesday pressurised Sudan to ensure free and fair elections during its first democratic polls in 25 years, scheduled for next month. President Kibaki led his counterparts from the Inter-Governmental Authority and Development in also calling on President Omar Bashir’s administration to fast track and fully implement the peace deal that ended 21 years of war in the country.
The Igad leaders were joined by former President Moi, Burundi’s former President Pierre Buyoya, South Africa’s Foreign Minister Ms Maite Nkoana-Mashabane, the African Union and the Arab League in restating that the polls were crucial in Sudan’s democratic transformation and peace and stability in the region. The leaders included Ethiopia Prime Minister Meles Zenawi, Uganda President Yoweri Museveni, Djibouti President Ismail Omar Guelleh, Somalia Prime Minister Ali Sharmarke, Sudan First Vice-President Salva Kiir who is also Southern Sudan’s President.
Confident
Also present were Kenya Prime Minister Raila Odinga and Vice-President Kalonzo Musyoka, and President Obama’s special envoy on Sudan Major General Scott Gration. Sudan second Vice-President Othman Ali Mohamed Twaha however said Sudan was confident the April polls and self-determination referendum set for January next year would be conducted in a free, fair and transparent manner.
Final Lap
Igad should continue playing a leading role in the implementation of this final lap of our journey. Speaking during the 14th Extra-Ordinary Summit of IGAD Assembly of Heads of State and Government on the Sudan peace process in Nairobi, President Kibaki said the elections are major milestones that will shape the future of Africa’s biggest country. He however said a number of issues including agreement on post-referendum arrangements; completion of the demarcation of the north/south border and that of Abyei still needed urgent attention and collaboration.
Another is completion of the redeployment of the military forces; and dealing with the intermittent skirmishes in the south.
The Igad leaders were joined by former President Moi, Burundi’s former President Pierre Buyoya, South Africa’s Foreign Minister Ms Maite Nkoana-Mashabane, the African Union and the Arab League in restating that the polls were crucial in Sudan’s democratic transformation and peace and stability in the region. The leaders included Ethiopia Prime Minister Meles Zenawi, Uganda President Yoweri Museveni, Djibouti President Ismail Omar Guelleh, Somalia Prime Minister Ali Sharmarke, Sudan First Vice-President Salva Kiir who is also Southern Sudan’s President.
Confident
Also present were Kenya Prime Minister Raila Odinga and Vice-President Kalonzo Musyoka, and President Obama’s special envoy on Sudan Major General Scott Gration. Sudan second Vice-President Othman Ali Mohamed Twaha however said Sudan was confident the April polls and self-determination referendum set for January next year would be conducted in a free, fair and transparent manner.
Final Lap
Igad should continue playing a leading role in the implementation of this final lap of our journey. Speaking during the 14th Extra-Ordinary Summit of IGAD Assembly of Heads of State and Government on the Sudan peace process in Nairobi, President Kibaki said the elections are major milestones that will shape the future of Africa’s biggest country. He however said a number of issues including agreement on post-referendum arrangements; completion of the demarcation of the north/south border and that of Abyei still needed urgent attention and collaboration.
Another is completion of the redeployment of the military forces; and dealing with the intermittent skirmishes in the south.
